|
City Council
Minutes of City Council Meetings | Agenda for next City Council Meeting
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND
FEBRUARY 11, 2002 QUORUM:
A Meeting of The Mayor and Council was held in the City Hall Council Chambers, located at 1838 Emerald Hill Lane, on the evening of February 11, 2002 at 7:00 p.m.Mayor Dayhoff; Council President Halstad; Council Members Albert, Chiavacci, Ferguson and Pecoraro; Department Heads Beyard and Joneckis; Supervisor of Accounting Taylor; and City Attorney Walsh were present.
MINUTES:
The Minutes of the Meeting of January 28, 2002 were approved as presented on Motion of Mr. Pecoraro, seconded by Mrs. Albert and duly passed.
BIDS:
On Motion of Mr. Pecoraro, seconded by Mr. Ferguson and unanimously passed, the $101,440 bid of Johnston Construction Company of Dover, Pennsylvania to complete improvements to Pump Station Number 14 was approved.Mr. Beyard explained that the improvements would upgrade and improve one of the City’s sewer facilities.
REPORTS FROM MAYOR:
. . . recognized Scout, Brad Nicholson of Troop No. 395 of Sandymount, in attendance to fulfill his “citizenship in community” badge requirement.
. . . read a Proclamation designating the week of February 10-16, 2002 as National Child Passenger Safety Week.
REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES:
Public Works:
Mrs. Albert reported on the request of Nancy Ensor, Director of West End Place, to change the name of 36th Street to “West End Place”, giving greater recognition to the organization.Thereafter, on Motion of Mr. Chiavacci, seconded by Mr. Pecoraro and unanimously passed, the name change was approved.
Public Safety:
Mr. Ferguson commended Chief Joneckis for the responsible actions an officer who noticed an unlocked door of a business located in the City and subsequently notified the business owner offering to secure the location.
Mr. Chiavacci reported on the ongoing meetings regarding Police Retirement/Pension issues.Thereafter, Mr. Chiavacci asked the Council for consideration of a Closed Session following the next regular meeting of The Mayor and Council to consider further topics of discussion, which may include a recommendation from the Public Safety Committee.
Mr. Pecoraro, as the City’s representative to the Carroll County Cable Regulatory Commission, reported on the ongoing efforts to compel Adelphia to honor commitments that have been made in terms of service to the community, adding that citizen complaints may be made to the Carroll Cable Coordinator, Ms. Carol Shawver.
Mr. Pecoraro reported on the successful Unveiling Event at the Carroll Arts Center.Mayor Dayhoff added that it was an extremely well done program, publicly commending the Carroll County Arts Council Executive Director, Sandy Oxx and Fundraising Chair, Mark Pohlhaus.Mayor Dayhoff also spoke of the leadership of former Mayor Ken Yowan, Councilman Pecoraro and Director of Planning and Public Works Tom Beyard in spearheading the program.
Council President Halstad reported on the February 5, 2002 meeting of the Economic Realignment Committee, a sub-committee of the Economic and Community Affairs Committee. Committee members include Council President Halstad, Council President Pro-Tem Pecoraro, Councilman Ferguson, Ethan Seidel, David Max and Jake Yingling; however, Councilman Ferguson was unable to attend.Topics of discussion included how the City might facilitate the relationship
between economic development and community development and how to best utilize the Westminster Town Center Corporation and the Greater Westminster Development Corporation with regard to projects moving forward in the City.
Council President Halstad noted the appointment of a Parking Committee to be made in the near future to review parking issues in the City.
Council President Halstad reported that $2.7 million for construction of the Carroll Community College Nursing and Allied Health Building has been cut from Governor Glendening’s supplemental budget, adding that he believed a consensus existed to forward a letter to the Governor and the Carroll County Delegation requesting that the money be restored.ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS:
Mr. Halstad explained that Water Ordinance No. 677 and Sewer Ordinance No. 678 were Introduced at the January 28, 2002 meeting of The Mayor and Common Council.The Ordinances have been amended to provide The Mayor and Common Council with a mechanism to adopt regulations allowing for the consideration of good cause waivers.Thereafter, on Motion of Mr. Pecoraro, seconded by Mr. Ferguson and unanimously passed, Water Ordinance No. 677 and Sewer Ordinance No. 678 were Enacted as amended.
It was suggested by Mayor Dayhoff and agreed upon by the Council, to schedule a Planning Workshop in late March or early April 2002 in follow-up to the Annexation Workshop held in September 2001.
NEW BUSINESS:
Mayor Dayhoff read the following with regard to the appointment of the new City Clerk/Zoning Administrator:
Consistent with previous discussions among City Council Members and with the recommendation of the Westminster City Clerk Selection Committee it is my privilege this evening to announce the appointment of Ms. Laurell Taylor to the position of Westminster City Clerk/Zoning Administrator to replace Mr. John Dudderar who retired January 31, 2002 after 37 years of service to our community.
I’d like to pay special tribute and commend the City Clerk Selection Committee, which has worked diligently to review, interview and select this evening’s nominee.I firmly concur with the Committee’s selection.
Ms. Taylor is a graduate of Towson University and has a law degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law.She is a resident of Westminster.
Ms. Taylor has fourteen years of experience with Carroll County government, as an in-house attorney and administrator.During her tenure, the county law department completed several major projects including the codification and computerization of county laws, regular staff training sessions, and the implementation of an overhaul of county laws.All of these experiences will serve her well with the City of Westminster.
Ms. Taylor has participated actively in statewide and national organizations that impact local municipal governments, such as the Local Government Insurance Trust (LGIT) and the International Municipal Law Officers’ Association.This training and these contacts will also prove invaluable.
Accordingly, subject to the full consent, advice and approval of the Westminster City Council at the Council meeting on February 11, 2002, I would like to appoint Ms. Laurell Taylor as the Westminster City Clerk.Your consideration is greatly appreciated.
Thereafter, on Motion of Mr. Ferguson, seconded by Mr. Pecoraro and unanimously passed, the nomination of Ms. Laurell E. Taylor as Westminster’s new City Clerk/Zoning Administrator was approved.
On Motion of Mr. Chiavacci, seconded by Mrs. Albert, with the recusal of Mr. Pecoraro, and unanimously passed, the following nominations to the State Highway Administration 140 Focus Group were approved as presented:
Westminster Mayor Kevin E. Dayhoff
Westminster City Council President Damian Halstad
Westminster Director of Planning and Public Works Tom Beyard
Westminster Fire Department President Jim Bangerd
Greater Westminster Development Corporation Representative Marty Hackett
The Focus Group will be involved in planning studies for potential improvements along MD Rt. 140 from Leidy Road to Sullivan Road.
Mr. Beyard outlined suggested improvements regarding the Main Street Crosswalk that connects the Westminster branch of the Carroll County Public Library with Locust Lane which involve removal of four Bradford Pear trees; two of which would be replaced with Shademaster Honeylocust trees, increasing lighting and visibility.The Chair of the City’s Tree Commission is in agreement with the recommendation.Thereafter, on Motion of Mr. Pecoraro, seconded by Mrs. Albert and unanimously passed, the recommendation was approved.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:
Chief Joneckis reported that in conjunction with National Child Passenger Safety Week, the Kids in Safety Seats (KISS) program is sponsoring a program entitled “Kiss Your Old Car Seat Goodbye” whereby persons may turn in their old car seats to any Police Department or the Health Department and complete a form to receive a $5.00 gift certificate from Target.
Mr. Beyard reported that the raw water reservoir level is close to 50%, which does not reflect the recent weekend’s precipitation.
Mr. Beyard also reported that there were two major water main breaks in the City, both caused by third parties, adding that there are mechanisms in place to assess fees from the third parties for damages incurred.He noted that some jurisdictions assess fees for Miss Utility markings, which may assist in offsetting losses caused by third parties.
CITIZEN COMMENTS:
Before moving to Citizen Comments, Council President Halstad recognized Carroll County Times Reporter Megen Wessel who was recently awarded the Maryland, Delaware, DC Press Association First Prize for her story, Chelsea’s Story; a 5-part story on a young girl’s battle with seizures.Ms. Wessel will receive her award from President Bush in March.
Westminster Fire Department President Jim Bangerd stated that reports would be coming monthly regarding Fire Department activities.He also referred to previous unsuccessful applications for Grant money and it was the consensus of the Council to offer the assistance of City staff in reviewing future grant applications as well as to provide letters of support.
Thornbury Court resident Todd Brown commended The Mayor and Common Council on their efforts to contact the Governor in regard to restoring funding for the construction project to house the Carroll Community College nursing program.Mr. Brown further commented on the parking of trucks at the former Lowe’s location and inquired as to whether it was legal to do so.It was determined that the property owner is allowing the trucks to park.Mr. Ferguson inquired as to whether the City’s Zoning Ordinance could be amended to include language that would address the type of parking that could occur when the principal permitted use is no longer being utilized and it was the consensus of the Council to have staff review the issue.
County resident Beatrice Wolf commented that residents outside the City are still unaware of City water use restrictions and continued poor cable service.Ms Wolf also reported a large pothole in the Sherwood Lot.
County resident Sandy Nicholson spoke unfavorably regarding the assessment of fees for utility marking.
ADJOURN:
The Council President adjourned the meeting at 8:40 p.m.
LAURA A. WOMER
Acting City Clerk
|
